Happy.

It's snowing. I always like it when it snows, there's something about it that just quiets the world.

There's been much that I've wanted to share. 

The last three weeks have been a whirl wind. 

Filled with change, and it's been delicious. 

It's only just sunk in that this life I'm living. This reality. It's mine. and I have the capacity to do whatever I want with it. 

if you want details as to specific events. Ask me in person. 

I've been so incredibly happy. 

I've thought a lot about happiness too. 

Happiness is very much a cognitive choice, often resulting from the choices we make every day. 

A simple truth, when applied, can make days brighter. 

The key is our choices. Is the way we're spending our precious time activities that are going to build lasting happiness, or are we just continually searching for that temporary high?

I've chosen to forgive and be free. To let people be human. To see their asymmetry and love it. To laugh. To enjoy the little things. To see miserable conditions and have a blast. To build connections. To draw nearer to God. To continue seeking out an education and studying hard. To take time. To be present. To interact. 

And it's in making these choices that I've come to see how much time we waste reaching for temporary happiness because we are convinced that if it is easily attained then it will stay with us.

 I'm inclined to believe that so much of our happiness comes from the process of stretching ourselves and building meaning in our lives. To find joy in the journey.  cliche, only because it's true. 

I am in a good place. 

I am loved.

I am flawed.

I am accepted.

I am human.

I am wanted.

Not only by my peers but my heavenly father too. 

I am happy. 

Happy being me. 

Simply me. 

The world is a pretty beautiful place when you stop and look around. 

don't take anything for granted. 

be thankful.

love more.

you'll be much happier.

i promise. 

People that are Wonderful: Edition 6

So. This is sorta a I love you your wonderful, beautiful, amazing, happy birthday post all in one. 

Everyone meet Gillian Voigt Sicotte. 

She just got married, and she did a dang good job finding her man.

I love this girl so much!

When I moved down to Provo, I was in a less than desirable situation with roommates, my brother knew her and told her to take care of me. I knocked on Gillian's door downstairs, being the scared freshly graduated from high school girl that I was armed with one defense. Bagels. I mean who doesn't love free bagels right? So I knocked on her door, and asked if they would like to share some bagels. They were watching batchy. (now a tradition for us) and then somewhere in the next few days we ended up getting a kitten, naming it toothless, I moved in and thus the most wonderful summer and eternal sleepover began. I am so incredibly blessed I know this girl. 

Gillian, this is why I love you and am so happy to call you one of my best friends. 

Gillian you have taught me so much about life and living. You are so positive in every situation and you just love people. You're not caught up in superficial things, yes, you like to be pretty and love sparkles, but it's not your main focus. And I adore that. Gillian you understand what matters in life. You have seen really hard times, had to sacrifice a lot, and you've made it through them with grace and poise. You love God, and in turn love people. You're dang good at it. You also writes beautifully, you can take those raw emotions and put words to them. Darling, you see and understand the world, all with your own touch. You THINK. You take time to celebrate the small things and you also have an eye for things that are beautiful. 

I love that you love shaun white, and all things that are related to people that are gingers. I remember one night looking up pictures of ever attractive ginger we could think of. It was so funny :) And you even threw a birthday party for shaun white. Made me very happy. 

Gillian, you take time. We are both very busy girls, I always appreciate that even though we don't live together you takes time to do things with me. eating squash, making dinners, sneaking sammy's into grandmas, kid history, telling you about my life and all the boys, walks and talks, make cake pops that turn into disasters, have sleepoevers, braid hair, library time, crack sauce, I could write so many more memories, but this is a fact, gillian time is always wonderful time. 

I must say something about our crazy road trips. two of my favorite memories are when we just got in the car and drove to Logan, may or may not have acquired a few street signs along the way, slept in a church parking lot, went and climbed on statues at USU ate breakfast and drove home. It was perfect. Crazy. And wonderful. Also, who can ever forget our trip to California, staying in sketchy hotel rooms, so much beach, engagement, holly wood, santa monica, just everything about that was perfect. 

You watched over me during freshman year. Even though you weren't able to be there the whole time, the letters, and limited communication meant so much. I hold those words near and dear to my heart. You came to my rescue when I passed out and didn't know who else to call. I'm so incredibly grateful that you love me enough to be there. You're good at that. 

I remember the night before you left in fall of 2011. We drove up to squaw peek. The trio. And we talked about all sorts of things. We ate pizza on the roof of your car, laughed, cried. I don't remember who asked, but we all were talking about if we could have done one thing differently, or change one thing in our life what it would be. Your answer stuck with me. You said, "nothing. life is happening for a reason, and while it may not be ideal. it's what i need." Those words say so much to who you are as a person and the way you live. You make the best, take what you're given and run with it. Because that is how life is lived. I've always admired how you do that. 

You have a certain energy and appreciation that you don't come across too often. You're 21 today and have already made such amazing strides in this life. If I could grow up to be even half the person you are, I would be so excited. Your smile is contagious. Your love is felt by so many. That southern hospitality will never out grow you :)

Thank you for loving me. For noticing me. For believing in me. For sharing your silliness and friendship with me. Gillian you are a truly amazing person.  And deserve everything you have been given. Happy 21st darling. I love you to the moon and back and more. 

Don't ever forget. MUAH!

love, Surrs. 

Real Major. Real Life. Real Awesome.

I have the best major ever. 

of course that statement is bias. 

but I study how to create a better life through recreation.

Essentially I'm learning how to use fun professionally. 

and that is RAD.  

RECM300, Creating a Good Life through Recreation, I've had it two times so far. I'm already in love with it. 

The very first day of class our professor asked us to write down our definition of happiness. 

Happiness: adj. a state of being. when one feels connected with those around them and has meaningful direction & fulfillment. can be temporary or lasting depending on the source. SYN: passion, energy, control, content, peace, flow. 

Happiness is a good life. 

Good life is a general well being. A balance of the full range of emotions. 

He then asked us to define recreation & leisure

Recreation & Leisure: FUN! doing the things you love and want to do. Enjoying small moments & seeing beauty around. SYN: Light hardheartedness. pleasure. time. free. 

Our professor put this definition up: Aspects of your life that are freely chosen and intrinsically motivated. 

I feel like I have had a pretty good understanding about what this field was about, helping people replace bad habits with good ones, helping them heal through recreation, letting them have therapy time that isn't viewed as intensive, but it has never hit me as hard as it did in that class. 

Recreation & leisure, like anything, can hold a positive or negative influence. It is all in what you decide, or are motivated to do as a recreational activity. It will be my job to help people want to choose and make the changes that will bring happiness. 

and we do this with fun. 

we do this with patience.

we do this by studying theories of happiness.  

we do this by applying it in our own life. 

we do it by loving. 

I couldn't be more excited about the direction my life is heading. 

Guys. life is so great. 

[in other news]

I applied back in November to be a counselor in New York this Summer at a camp for children with communication disorders an autism. Full on Therapeutic Recreation. I got a phone interview, it feel it went well, and they said I should know by January 13th if I got the job or not. 

I may or may not have been checking my email obsessively. 

Dear Favorite.

There are a lot of things that I could talk about right now. 

My mind has been going a million miles a minute all day. 

Reality hits in the morning. 

I'm not quiet ready.  But I have to be. 

of all the things that have been said to me today. of all the thoughts, feelings, and frustrations I've had today. Today's ideas all boil down to one simple thing. 

time. 

I can be efficient. In fact it is encouraged, I'm good at it! But I cannot be efficient with relationships. 

Those take time. 

I'm a big believer in time being one of the most precious things you can give another. 

and I want to give mine to you. 

I'm a busy girl, but I'm never too busy for people. 

Give me a call. And I'll be there.